Our team recently attended the Technology & Applications Conference 2024, a two-day event highlighting the latest advancements in robotic 3D vision and AI-driven solutions, hosted by Photoneo. The event included a compelling keynote from Photoneo’s Chief of Sales & Marketing, Daniel Otto, who emphasized that "knowledge is a pillar" in bridging the gaps between market needs, industry knowledge, application knowledge, and emerging technologies. He highlighted the importance of creating connections between these elements to drive innovation and strengthen our collective capabilities. This focus on bridging aligns closely with our approach at Trifid, where we strive to integrate knowledge and technology to meet the evolving demands of our industry.

Stimulating narrative evolved also around latest trends in robotics and real-world applications, questioning whether humanoid robots will play a significant role in the future of robotics. While humanoid robots offer potential in human-like interaction and adaptability, challenges such as high development costs and technical complexity remain. The session provided an overview of the top five technological trends shaping the industry: AI and machine learning, collaborative robots in new applications, mobile manipulators, virtual simulation with digital twins, and humanoid robots. With vision technology, robots can now interpret their environment to perform complex tasks like object recognition and navigation. The conclusion indicated that while humanoid robots are not yet the industry standard, they represent an intriguing frontier for future innovation.

Keynote Highlights

The conference featured a range of keynote presentations that covered various applications of AI and 3D vision technology, providing a comprehensive view of the innovations shaping our industry.

• Robotics Vision: Transforming Industries through Advanced Vision Technology
  Presented by Martin Nemecek, Business Line Manager, Robotics at ABB
  Martin discussed how robotics and advanced vision technology are revolutionizing diverse sectors, including automotive and healthcare. He emphasized the role of AI-driven vision systems in enabling real-time control, optimizing productivity, and paving the way for adaptive industrial processes. His presentation showcased how these technologies are driving the next wave of innovation in industrial automation.

• Empowering Collaborative Robots: AI, 3D Vision & Digital Twins
  This session focused on the integration of visual recognition and digital twin technology into collaborative robotics. By combining AI with 3D vision, robotics now support a greater degree of adaptability in various production environments. The discussion included examples of improved object recognition and motion trajectory optimization, underscoring how these advancements are enabling more flexible and efficient robotics solutions across multiple industries.

• Photoneo Applications in the Automotive Industry
  Presented by Tony Rivers, President & CEO, Peak Technologies
  Tony shared successful case studies of Photoneo’s 3D vision solutions in the automotive sector. The presentation highlighted hundreds of installations using bin picking, 3D vision-guided robotics, and inspection technologies. The session underscored how these technologies help improve accuracy, efficiency, and safety in automotive manufacturing.

• AI-Powered Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities of Modern Robotics Solutions
  Presented by Marcin Brydak, Business Development Manager, Kawasaki Robotics
  Marcin delved into the role of AI in modern robotics, focusing on the challenges and opportunities it presents for enhancing automation and precision. His talk addressed real-world applications and strategies for overcoming implementation hurdles, such as optimizing workflows in industrial environments and ensuring scalability across various sectors.

• Next Generation Platform for Automation with AI
  Presented by Istvan Turai, Director of Technology Innovation, Universal Robots
  Istvan shared insights on Universal Robots’ journey in collaborative robotics and their latest AI-enabled automation platforms. He highlighted how Universal Robots is committed to making advanced automation accessible, focusing on real-time vision and accelerated computing to push the boundaries of robotics in sectors ranging from manufacturing to logistics.

• The Rise of Cognitive Robotics: Empowering New Industrial Frontiers with 3D Vision and AI
  Presented by Nicola Longo, Innovation - Cognitive Automation at Comau
  Nicola explored the transformative impact of cognitive robotics, where 3D vision and AI are breaking new ground. These technologies allow robotics to handle complex, non-repetitive tasks, facilitating adaptive problem-solving. Nicola’s session illustrated how cognitive robotics is not only reshaping traditional industries but also opening doors to new applications that demand flexibility and advanced environmental awareness.

Beyond the Presentations

The conference also included a Photoneo HQ Production Tour, offering attendees a chance to see firsthand the precision and innovation driving their latest product developments. As a peer and competitor in the industry, we recognize Photoneo's commitment to advancing 3D vision technology. Their openness in sharing these insights reflects the spirit of collaboration and professional respect that underpins our relationship.

Representing Trifid at the conference, our Managing Director, Juraj Schmidt, engaged in discussions on the transformative role of AI in robotics and automation. We left with new perspectives and knowledge that will be invaluable as we continue our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions in our own projects.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our gratitude to Photoneo for organizing this impactful event. The Technology & Applications conference underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration within our industry, and we look forward to applying these insights to our future endeavors that go beyond the limits, reaching the stars.